Thursday

Four people have been arrested on racketeering charges after a nearly two-year investigation that involved thefts of $178,929 in electronics from dozens of Wal-Marts throughout the Southeast.

LAKELAND — Four people have been arrested on racketeering charges after a nearly two-year investigation that involved thefts of $178,929 in electronics from dozens of Wal-Marts throughout the Southeast.

In addition to racketeering, the defendants have been charged with conspiracy to engage in racketeering, grand theft, and conspiracy to commit grand theft. Those charged are Johnecia Holmes, 21, of Jacksonville; Marquishia Edwards, 28, of Jacksonville; Jaron Scott, 30, of Jacksonville; and Samaria Gay, 25, of Jacksonville.

In all, there were 135 thefts in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, according to the Statewide Prosecutor's Office, a division of the Attorney General's Office.

The investigation began in October 2014 after the Polk County Sheriff's Office received information about a crime ring of thefts occurring at multiple Wal-Mart stores in Polk County. Detectives reported the thefts occurred when people either put electronics into purses or totes or placed the stolen items into boxes with merchandise they had purchased, such as diapers.

"They focused on Wal-Mart," Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said this morning. "They knew the busy hours and they knew the changing shifts.

"They knew the culture of Wal-Mart," Judd said.

Detectives are still searching for three Jacksonville people they say were involved in the crimes. Those are Vincenia Tumblin, 46; Ke'Chelle Roberts, 23; and Arkeem Woods, 23.

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